Lately we’ve been observing the rapidly evolving Chinese music market with a tabloid-like fascination at the intensity of change in the industry here, so we thought it was high-time to take a step back and expound on the host of positives that are emerging post-Olympics. There are no less than seven music festivals taking place in China over this busy autumn period, including the oft-discussed Beijing double-header of Midi and Modern Sky; Shanghai’s surprisingly diverse and excellent offerings; and the Snow Mountain Festival in Lijiang, which has grown to accommodate arena sized international artists (and arena sized pricing, which will be interesting).
And let’s not forget the incredible art festivals descending upon Shanghai this month, particularly the Shanghai EArts festival featuring dance music extremists Autechre. Throw in the Taiwanese invasion across alternative genres, including the possible return of MC Hotdog for Shanghai’s Iron Mic competition and a Chaoyang Gymnasium show from the hotly tipped Sodagreen, plus the multiple arena tours for Linkin Park and Avril Lavigne (the former in support of the Sichuan earthquake), and it’s plain to see: the music scene is blowing up in 2008.
This weekend brought the China Now Festival, two days of free music loveliness in Huaihai Park, organised by the hugely influential local Shanghai band hangout 288 on Taikang Rd. Follow that with the most ambitious iteration of the JZ jazz festival next weekend in a centrally located park. The following weekend, we can look forward to the Midi-Modern Sky extravaganza in Beijing, and manage to get back down to Shanghai for the intriguing Notch festival, which promises to be held in a massive greenhouse that’s been donated to the cause by the increasingly supportive local government, and featuring the excellent Efterklang and the remixer-du-jour, Disjokke.
It’s a massive amount of music in a short amount of time, but the shows look intelligently programmed by a bunch of people really dedicated to helping move a scene forward. All the promoters, from the Beijing Midi School of Music to Modern Sky’s continuously progressive record label, to the ever excellent JZ institution, to creative community Neocha and the Scandinavian contingent behind Notch, to the aptly named Melting Pot. Not to mention the committed efforts of venues like Live Bar, Logo and The Shelter to bring in an eclectic mix of local and international talent, and the ebullient party people at STD and Antidote, who reliably program some of the best late-night action around. Add this to the huge PR that’s being generated by Beijing incubation units D22 and Maybe Mars, the great endeavours of Yugong Yishan and Mao Livehouse, and Yuyintang’s commitment to developing young Chinese music. Promoters Emma and China West are doing their bit to push things forward in the arena and stadium bases, with Kanye, Avril and Linkin Park featuring in 15 locations all around East Asia.
We should also not fail to mention the highly anticipated (by some!) Peugeot-sponsored shows by French duo Air at Yugong Yishan, set for September 26 and 27. We were surprised to learn that the ticket price has been set at RMb 550 (USD 80) pre-sale and RMB 700 (USD 100+) on the door – and we were even more surprised to learn that tickets are already nearly sold out! So adoring fans may not have the chance to spend their hard-earned RMB 700 on what looks to be a must-see show for local music-zhes.
Don’t listen to the doubters: music is in rude health in this neck of the woods.